Pilgrimage today

How alive the pilgrimage to Andechs remains to this day is illustrated by the more than 130 pilgrimage groups and 30,000 organised pilgrims who come to the Holy Mountain year after year.

Most of today’s pilgrims come from the region of the former county of the Andechs-Meranians, i.e. Bavarian Swabia, and from the region around Augsburg, but also from communities around the Starnberger See, Ammersee and even from Munich.

Numerous pilgrimage groups are received by the monks and blessed with holy water. This is followed by mass in the Pilgrimage Church. Most pilgrims are seen off again after devotions in the afternoon, where religious objects such as rosaries and crosses are blessed. Some spend the night.

Votive offerings

Aside from the annual stream of pilgrims, the numerous votive candles kept in the “Wachsgewölbe” (candle vault) of the Pilgrimage Church bear witness to the existence of the Andechs pilgrimage tradition over centuries. Numerous votive tablets also document the bond between the pilgrimage communities and the Holy Mountain.

Main pilgrimage season

Today the main pilgrimage season is around the “Kreuzwoche”, the week of the Ascension. The Dreihostienfest (Festival of the Three Hosts) is now celebrated on the last weekend in September, the old Andechs church consecration festival.

Andechs Monastery Emblem